Manila, Philippines – With the start of a new year, the government continues its campaign against corruption in 2026, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) kicking off preliminary investigations on seven flood control-related cases.
On Monday, the DOJ started the probe on the new plunder case filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co.
While the DOJ refused to specify the projects involved, it mentioned that Co’s co-respondents in the case are officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
During the Monday proceedings, no counsel or representative from Co’s camp appeared nor commented on the matter.
With this, the prosecution gave Co until January 15 to respond to the allegations.
BONG REVILLA, JOEL VILLANUEVA SUBMITS COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT DENYING FLOOD CONTROL MESS INVOLVEMENT
Co’s new plunder case is just one of the seven cases DOJ is reviewing—with two cases involving Bulacan projects under Wawao Construction and Topnotch Catalyst Builders.
Respondents on these separate complaints are former Senador Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Senator Joel Villanueva.
DOJ earlier said that the cases being reviewed involve allegations of direct bribery, corruption of public officials, malversation through falsification, and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act and of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
On Monday, Revilla, through his lawyer, submitted his counter-affidavit for the second flood control-related case after one involving SYMS Construction.
In his counter, Revilla firmly denied the allegations they called baseless and incompetent.
The complaint rooted from accusations of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo over Revilla receiving up to 25% kickback and commission from flood control projects.
Villanueva, meanwhile, described the allegations as ridiculous, stemming from similar kickback accusations from Bulacan projects.
Despite this description, Villanueva said that he respects due and legal process, as he submitted a counter-affidavit on the case from former Bulacan DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara’s implication.
In his counter, Villanueva once again denied the allegations, presenting witnesses to debunk Alcantara’s implications.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News